The Dream Project is a fundraising organization for young adults. We bridge the gap between nonprofits doing great work and young adults who want to give back to the communities around them. In practice that means adventure-based trips (think: biking across the country) to support the mission of charitable organizations.

We envision a world in which young people dream big with the goal of bettering their communities.

IT STARTED WITH A DREAM

The Dream Project (originally "Dream4TK") set out to raise awareness for pediatric cancer patients. To pursue this goal, five Rutgers students and alumni biked 1,615 miles from New Brunswick, New Jersey to Disney World in Orlando, Florida during the summer of 2013. With the help of sponsors, their friends and family, Embrace Kids Foundation, and a team of incredibly motivated Rutgers students and alumni, they were able to make our crazy, "impossible" idea a reality. Dream4TK was a completely student-run grassroots group and hoped to continue inspiring others as their mission continued to live on past their inaugural trip. Now functioning as its own nonprofit organization, The Dream Project is dedicated to empowering a new generation of young adults to become leaders within their communities through service and civic engagement. In practice, that means helping them plan something extraordinary, like bike down across the country, in order to make a difference in the work of incredible local charities.

JourneyS

If you want to see the country, we suggest no better way than by bike.

Destination: Miami Beach

salt air and southern hospitality

Pack extra sunscreen for 2,000 miles through nine states! You'll visit Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. (snag a selfie at the Lincoln Memorial), Charleston, and Savannah before finally dipping your tires in the Atlantic Ocean at the tip of Florida.

Destination: Portland

west coast best coast

You'll be swooping through thirteen states on this 3,500 mile-adventure!

On service days you'll be able to take in the sights of Philadelphia, Cleveland, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Chicago, Madison, and St. Paul. Before you know it, you'll arrive in the city best known for its local flavor and flair.

Destination: San Diego

will bike for tacos

This route showcases all the country has to offer across thirteen states and 3,000 miles. Philadelphia, Columbus, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Albuquerque, and Phoenix are on the itinerary before you get to splash in the Pacific Ocean.

Dreamers need to raise a minimum of $3,500 in order to participate on the trip. Don't worry, we'll provide all the tools and resources you need to succeed.

Do some good.

We're not just about fundraising. Dreamers also provide service to the community in partnership with local charities. Each participant must volunteer at least eight hours a month at their partner charity leading up to the start of the trip. Then, on the route, riders will stop for service days to help out organizations doing great work in the states they're biking through on their journey.

Bike towards a brighter tomorrow.

Talk about the trip of a lifetime! Take in the sights, eat the regional delicacies, snap all the pictures, and meet the magnificent people who make up the country.

If you are interested in donating or sponsoring our cause, please email us at sponsor@thedream.bike

The Dream Project is dedicated to empowering new generations of young adults to become leaders within their communities through service and civic engagement. Anyone between the ages of 18-25 can participate on one of our Dream Journeys by pledging to raise at least $3,500 while committing to a summer of service as they bike, run, or hike towards a brighter tomorrow.

When is The Dream Project ride?

Next summer's rides will kickoff in early June! Stay tuned for more details!

Who is going on The Dream Project ride?

Young adults between the ages of 18-25 who are willing to raise $3,500 and take part on a journey of a lifetime.

Why a bike ride?

We want to do something unexpected and extraordinary that will inspire those around us to believe in their dreams. We want to prove that even the most daunting challenges can be overcome and serve as an inspiration to others.

What charities do you support?

Every year The Dream Project chooses to celebrate a different New Jersey-based organization and recognize the important work they're doing within the community.

What kind of shape do I need to be in to bike across the country?

Lance Armstrong once said that “you can have all the heart in the world, but it doesn’t mean anything unless you’ve got the legs.“ But we staunchly disagree. You don’t need to identify as an athlete to be on the Dream Team. This ride isn’t a race; it’s an experience. While you don’t need to be the faster or the strongest, you should assess your personal fitness level and be prepared to put in the training. All of our riders are required to log a total of 500 miles and complete a 65-mile ride before departing.

How far do you bike each day?

The day’s miles are dictated by where the team will sleep that night. Usually, our riders will cycle anywhere from 50-120 miles per day, most often averaging about 65-80 miles per day.

Do I have to carry my own luggage?

Participants do not need to carry their own luggage. All luggage will be held in the support vehicle while on the trip. Pack light! Use our packing list for guidance in terms of things you absolutely need and what you can live without while on the trip.

What kind of support do you offer while on the trip?

The Dream Project staff and board completely supports participants on and off the road. We are here to answer all questions, help participants to reach their fundraising minimums, keep you on track with training, and offer any other advice. During the trip, the team will be provided with a support vehicle in which driving responsibilities will be split between the team members.

What do we eat?

Participants get a majority of their meals and foodstuff donated during the summer. When staying with host families, they will usually provide breakfast and dinner. For lunch, participants will usually eat out of the van taking advantage of in-kind donations from local supermarkets (think peanut butter sandwiches).

Where do we sleep?

Members of the communities we pass through come together to provide a safe place for each team to sleep and the team is hosted by families, bike clubs, churches, schools, gyms, YMCA’s, rotary clubs, etc. Our teams will occasionally camp when they pass through more rural communities (think sleeping on the beach).

Why does The Dream Project need sponsors if you're a fundraising organization? In order to fulfill our organizational goals, The Dream Project needs the help of private donors and (fiscal and in-kind) sponsors to offset our trip costs. The Dream Project simply would not be possible without our partners who share our commitment to the development of the next generation of philanthropists and leaders. By investing in our riders, our sponsors are setting them up for a lifetime of giving back and allowing us to maximize our fundraising efforts to our charitable partners. Click here to view The Dream Project sponsorship packet.